Modified beta-lactamases and methods and uses related thereto

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to pharmaceuticals and modified beta-lactamases. Specifically, the invention relates to novel recombinant beta-lactamases and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the beta-lactamases. 
     Also, the present invention relates to methods for modifying a beta-lactamase, producing the beta-lactamase and treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotic induced adverse effects. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the beta-lactamase for use as a medicament and to the use of the beta-lactamase in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotics induced adverse effects. 
     Still further, the invention relates to a polynucleotide and a host cell comprising the polynucleotide.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pharmaceuticals and modified beta-lactamases. Specifically, the invention relates to novel recombinant beta-lactamases and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the beta-lactamases.

Also, the present invention relates to methods for modifying a beta-lactamase, producing the beta-lactamase and treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotic induced adverse effects. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the beta-lactamase for use as a medicament and to the use of the beta-lactamase in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotics induced adverse effects.

Still further, the invention relates to a polynucleotide and a host cell comprising the polynucleotide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beta-lactam antibiotics are characterized by a beta-lactam ring in their molecular structure. The integrity of the beta-lactam ring is essential for the biological activity, which results in the inactivation of a set of transpeptidases that catalyze the final cross-linking reactions of peptidoglycan synthesis. Members of the beta-lactam antibiotics family comprise penicillins, cephalosporins, clavams (or oxapenams), cephamycins and carbapenems.

Beta-lactamases are bacterial defensive enzymes that hydrolyze beta-lactam antibiotics. The production of beta-lactamases is a predominant mechanism to confer beta-lactam resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. Beta-lactamases catalyse very efficiently irreversible hydrolysis of the amide bond of the beta-lactam ring resulting in biologically inactive product(s).

Because of the diversity of enzymatic characteristics of different beta-lactamase types, several classification systems have been proposed for their categorising. The classifications are based on two major approaches, which are functional and molecular classifications.

The functional classification scheme of beta-lactamases proposed by Bush et al., (1995, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 39: 1211-1233) defines four beta-lactamase groups, which are based on their substrate and inhibitor profiles. Group 1 consists of cephalosporinases that are not well inhibited by clavulanic acid. Group 2 consists of penicillinases, cephalosporinases and broad-spectrum beta-lactamases that are generally inhibited by active site-directed beta-lactamase inhibitors. Group 3 consists of metallo-beta-lactamases that hydrolyze penicillins, cephalosporins and carbapenems, and that are poorly inhibited by almost all beta-lactam-containing molecules. Group 4 consists of penicillinases that are not well inhibited by clavulanic acid. Sub-groups have also been defined according to rates of hydrolysis of carbenicillin or cloxacillin (oxacillin) by group 2 penicillinases.

The most widely used classification is Ambler classification which divides beta-lactamases into four classes (A, B, C, D) and is based on their amino-acid sequences (Ambler 1980, Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 289: 321-331). Classes A, C, and D gather evolutionarily distinct groups of serine beta-lactamase enzymes, and class B the zinc-dependent (“EDTA-inhibited”) beta-lactamase enzymes (Ambler R. P. et al., 1991, Biochem J. 276: 269-270). Classes A, C, and D belong to serine beta-lactamases, in which the hydrolysis of the beta-lactam is mediated by serine in an active site. Serine beta-lactamases are related to DD peptidases (D-alanyl-D-alanine carboxypeptidase), the target enzyme of beta-lactams. The mechanism by which serine beta-lactamases hydrolyze beta-lactam antibiotics is believed to follow a three-step pathway including a non-covalent Henri-Michaelis complex, a covalent acyl-enzyme intermediate and deacylation (Matagne et al., 1998, Biochem J 330:581-598). Acylation mechanism is considered to be a common mechanism for all serine beta-lactamase groups whereas, on the basis of theoretical calculations, the substrate deacylation mechanisms of serine beta-lactamase of classes A, C and D appear to differ from each other. Deacylation mechanisms have both common and group specific elementary processes (Hata M et al., 2006, Biol Pharm Bull. 29: 2151-2159).

Bacillus spp. serine beta-lactamases and TEM-1, SHV-1 and CTX-M families have primarily been classified as class A beta-lactamases and as penicillinases that possess good capability to hydrolyze e.g. penicillin and ampicillin. The class A beta-lactamases were first identified in penicillin resistant St. aureus in the 1940s. A plasmid-borne penicillin resistance gene, TEM-1, was discovered in E. coli 20 years later. Later on, serine beta-lactamases were also shown to evolve the ability to hydrolyze most cephalosporins and further specialize at hydrolysing a specific subset of cephalosporins. Most of these extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) are derivates of TEM-1, TEM-2 or SHV-1 enzymes. Recently there are increasing numbers of reports that describe the vast emergence of CTX-M enzymes, a new group of class A ESBLs. Nowadays, CTX-M enzymes are the most frequently observed ESBLs and are sub-classified into five major families. CTX-M enzymes have a wide substrate range including penicillin and the first, second and third generation cephalosporins (Bonnet, R. 2004. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 48:1-14).

While the sequence similarity between the class A beta-lactamases (TEM, SHV, CTX-M, Bacillus spp. beta-lactamases) is moderate, the crystal structures of all serine beta-lactamases show a particularly high similarity (Matagne et al., 1998, Biochem J 330:581-598; Tranier S. et al., 2000, J Biol Chem, 275: 28075-28082; Santillana E. et al., 2007, Proc Natl Acad Sci. USA, 104: 5354-5359). The enzymes are composed of two domains. One domain consists of a five-stranded beta sheet packed against three alpha helices whilst the second domain, an alpha domain, is composed of eight alpha helices. The active site pocket is part of the interface between these two domains and is limited by the omega loop. The omega loop is a conserved structural element of all class A beta-lactamases and is essentially involved in catalytic reaction (FIG. 1 ).

Several conserved peptide sequences (elements) related to catalysis or recognition of the substrate have been identified in class A beta-lactamases. The first conserved element 70-Ser-X-X-Lys-73 (Ambler classification) includes the active serine residue at location 70 in alpha helix₂ and lysine at position 73. The second conserved element is a SXN loop in an alpha domain (at positions between 130 and 132 according to Ambler classification), where it forms one side of a catalytic cavity. The third conserved element (at positions between 234 and 236 according to Ambler classification) is on the innermost strand of the beta-sheet, and forms the other side of the catalytic cavity. The third conserved element is usually KTG. However, in some exceptional cases, lysine (K) can be replaced by histidine (H) or arginine (R), and in several beta-lactamases, threonine (T) can be substituted by serine (S) (Matagne et al., 1998. Biochem J 330:581-598).

Beta-lactamase mediated resistance to beta-lactams is widely spread among pathogen and commensal microbiota, because of abundant use of beta-lactams in recent decades. Indeed, antibiotic resistance is a well-known clinical problem in human and veterinary medicine, and hundreds of different beta-lactamases derived from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria have been purified and characterized in the scientific literature. Because the use of antimicrobials has not reduced and furthermore, antimicrobial resistance has become part of the everyday life, new approaches are invariably and urgently required for solving these medical problems.

The intestinal microbiota of humans is a complex bacterial community that plays an important role in human health, for example, by stimulating the immune response system, aiding in digestion of food and preventing the overgrowth of potential pathogen bacteria. Antimicrobial agents e.g. beta-lactams are known to have effect on normal microbiota. The efficacy of antimicrobial agents to promote changes of normal intestinal microbiota is associated with several factors including drug dosage, route of administration and pharmacokinetics/dynamics and properties of antibiotics (Sullivan Å. et al., 2001, Lancet 1:101-114). Even though the intestinal microbiota have a tendency to revert to normal after completion of antibiotic treatment, long term persistence of selected resistant commensal bacteria has been reported (Sjölund M. et al., 2003, Ann Intern Med. 139:483-487). Such persistence and the exchange of antibiotic resistance genes make the commensal microbiota a putative reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes.

Certain parentally administered beta-lactams like ampicillin, ceftriaxone, cefoperazone, and piperacillin are in part eliminated via biliary excretion into the proximal part of the small intestine (duodenum). Residual unabsorbed beta-lactams in the intestinal tract may cause an undesirable effect on the ecological balance of normal intestinal microbiota resulting in antibiotic-associated diarrhea, overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria such as vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-beta-lactamase producing Gram-negative bacilli (ESBL), Clostridium difficile, and fungi, and selection of antibiotic-resistance strains among both normal intestinal microbiota and potential pathogen bacteria.

The therapeutic purpose of beta-lactamases is inactivating unabsorbed antibiotics in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), thereby maintaining a normal intestinal microbiota and preventing its overgrowth with potentially pathogenic micro-organisms (WO 93/13795).

There are at least three requirements for beta-lactamase drug products, which are suitable for GIT targeted therapy. The first requirement is to preserve enzymatic activity under conditions prevailing in the GIT. Resistance against proteolytic breakdown by various proteases secreted from various glands into the GIT is a quintessential precondition for the feasibility of beta-lactamase therapy. Another important consideration is the range of pH values prevailing in the different compartments of the small intestine. These pH values usually vary between 5 (duodenum) and 7.5 (ileum). Hence, in order to qualify as candidates for the intended therapeutic purpose, a beta-lactamase needs to exhibit high enzymatic activity over the pH range 5-7.5.

The second requirement of a beta-lactamase or a product thereof is to hydrolyze beta-lactam efficiently. The concentration of a beta-lactam antibiotic in small intestinal chyme during an antibiotic treatment episode is mostly related to the elimination of the particular beta-lactam via biliary excretion. A suitable beta-lactamase needs to have kinetic parameters that enable it to effectively hydrolyze lower GIT beta-lactam concentrations below levels causing alterations in intestinal microbiota. The ideal set of kinetic parameters consists of a numerical low value for the Michaelis constant K_(M), combined with a numerically high value for the maximum reaction rate V_(max). A high V_(max) value is required in order to provide a sufficient degree of breakdown capacity, while a low K_(M) value is needed to ensure beta-lactam degrading activity at low substrate concentrations.

The third requirement of a beta-lactamase or a product thereof is to tolerate the conditions, such as relatively high temperatures, in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical compositions. Moreover, in the production process, the mixing dispersion of aqueous excipients and drug substance requires a high degree of solubility at suitable pH.

An enzymatic therapy, named Ipsat P1A, is being developed for the prevention of the adverse effects of β-lactam antibiotics inside the gut. Ipsat P1A delivery system has been designed to inactivate parenterally given penicillin group beta-lactams (e.g. penicillin, amoxicillin ampicillin and piperacillin) with or without beta-lactamase inhibitors (e.g. tazobactam, sulbactam, clavulanic acid) excreted via biliary system (WO 2008065247; Tarkkanen, A. M. et al., 2009, Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 53:2455-2462). The P1A enzyme is a recombinant form of Bacillus licheniformis 749/C small exo beta-lactamase (WO 2008065247) which belongs to class A and is grouped to subgroup 2a in functional classification. B. licheniformis beta-lactamase and its P1A derivate are considered as penicillinases which have high hydrolytic capacity to degrade e.g. penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin or piperacillin (Table 1) and they are generally inhibited by active site-directed beta-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid, sulbactam or tazobactam (Bush K. et al., 1995, Antimicrob Agents Chemother 39:1211-1233).

However, the P1A enzyme has only a very limited capacity to inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics that belong to the cephalosporin or the carbapenem group. Because the employed beta-lactamases possess poor activity to cephalosporins, they can not be applied in conjunction with parenteral cephalosporin therapy for inactivation of unabsorbed beta-lactam in the small intestinal tract.

Therefore, new beta-lactamases or derivates of P1A with extended substrate profile, for example as seen in metallo-beta-lactamases, are indispensable.

The present invention provides novel genetically tailored derivates of P1A beta-lactamase and furthermore, novel methods for modifying and producing beta-lactamases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The new recombinant derivates of P1A beta-lactamase of the invention fulfill the above-mentioned three requirements of suitable beta-lactamases (i.e. have abilities to preserve enzymatic activity, hydrolyze beta-lactams efficiently and tolerate conditions in the manufacturing of the pharmaceutical compositions) and furthermore, have extended substrate profiles. The beta-lactamases of the invention may also be used in conjunction with parenteral cephalosporin therapy for inactivating biliary eliminated beta-lactam in the small intestinal tract.

The present invention highlights the preliminary and preclinical studies of a new Ipsat P3A pharmaceutical protein (a D276N substituted derivate of P1A) and presents a single drug substance dose.

The present invention enables rapid and efficient methods for modifying beta-lactamases and for producing them. Furthermore, by the present invention more effective and specific treatments become available.

The enzymes of the invention are suitable for large scale manufacturing for a drug substance for treating or preventing adverse effects induced by various groups of beta-lactam antibiotics.

The object of the present invention is to provide novel beta-lactamases, especially beta-lactamases of B. licheniformis, and to provide products, methods and uses related to the beta-lactamases. Tools for further developments in pharmaceutical industries are also presented by the invention.

The present invention relates to a beta-lactamase comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 and having a hydrophilic amino acid residue at a position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification, or a variant or fragment thereof.

The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the beta-lactamase of the invention.

The invention also relates to a method of modifying a beta-lactamase comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein an amino acid of the beta-lactamase at a position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification is replaced with a hydrophilic amino acid.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of producing the beta-lactamase, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

-   -   i) providing a gene encoding the beta-lactamase of the         invention;     -   ii) transforming a host cell with the gene;     -   iii) obtaining a host cell that produces the beta-lactamase;     -   iv) recovering the beta-lactamase.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotic induced adverse effects in the gastro-intestinal tract by administering beta-lactamase of the invention simultaneously or sequentially with a beta-lactam antibiotic to a subject.

Still further, the present invention relates to the beta-lactamase for use as a medicament.

Still further, the present invention relates to a use of the beta-lactamase in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotics induced adverse effects in the gastro-intestinal tract.

Still further, the invention relates to a polynucleotide, which comprises a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:s 2 or 4 or a degenerate thereof, or it encodes the beta-lactamase of the invention. The invention also relates to a host cell comprising the polynucleotide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the 3D structure of beta-lactamase of Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamase (small exo form of PenP). The conserved amino acid residues and the side chains residues of R-244 and D-278 are marked. The diagram was generated by using MolSof-Browser programme.

FIG. 2 shows the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of D276N beta-lactamase gene of Bacillus licheniformis (P1A derivate). The amino acid sequence corresponds to sequence SEQ ID NO: 3, wherein Xaa is asparagine (Asn). The nucleotide sequence corresponds to sequence SEQ ID NO: 4, wherein the nucleotide triplet nnn is aat. The open reading frame encodes a 299 amino acid polypeptide possessing a 31 amino acid long signal sequence (underlined) of the amyQ gene derived from the pKTH141 secretion vector (WO 2008/065247). The predicted signal peptidase cleavage site is after alanine (A) at position −1. The HindIII cloning site that encodes an NH₂-QAS extension is expressed as bold. The mature D276N mutant enzyme starts from glutamine (Q) at a position of +1. Thus, the mature D276N mutant beta-lactamase comprises 268 amino acid residues including the NH₂-QAS extension encoded by HindIII. A single amino acid substitution of aspartic acid (D) to asparagine (N) is located at the position 280 (expressed as a bold character) corresponding to the position of 276 in the Ambler classification system and corresponding to amino acid position 249 in sequence SEQ ID NO: 3.

The NH₂-terminal sequence of purified D276N mutant enzyme was determined by automated Edman degradation in a protein sequencer. Analysis demonstrated that the D276N mutant enzyme lacks NH₂-QASKT-pentapeptide at its deduced amino terminus in a manner similar to that of its parent P1A enzyme (WO 2008/065247). The major fraction of the purified D276N mutant enzyme, which has been utilized in examples 4 and 6 of this application, initiates from glutamic acid at position +6 and is composed of 263 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 29 272.

FIG. 3 shows the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of D276R substituted beta-lactamase gene of P1A derived from Bacillus licheniformis. The amino acid sequence corresponds to sequence SEQ ID NO: 3, wherein Xaa is arginine (Arg). The nucleotide sequence corresponds to sequence SEQ ID NO: 4, wherein the nucleotide triplet nnn is cgc.

FIG. 4 shows the effect of orally administered enteric coated D276N substituted beta-lactamase (P3A) pellets on the concentrations of ceftriaxone in jejunal chyme of beagle dogs (n=5) after intravenous administration of ceftriaxone (30 mg of ceftriaxone per kg of body weight) (closed squares). Beta-lactamase pellets were received 10 minutes prior to ceftriaxone injection. Closed diamonds represent jejunal ceftriaxone concentrations achieved after a single dose of ceftriaxone (i.v.) without beta-lactamase treatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Beta-lactamases have been used in inactivating unabsorbed beta-lactams in the gastrointestinal tract in order to prevent the beta-lactam induced adverse effects including alterations in intestinal normal microbiota and the overgrowth of beta-lactam resistant bacteria (WO 9313795, WO 2008065247, WO 2007147945. The present invention now provides a modified beta-lactamase of Bacillus licheniformis, which shows a surprising altered substrate profile.

As used herein, a beta-lactamase refers to an enzyme, which hydrolyzes beta-lactams. Hydrolysis of the amide bond of the beta-lactam ring makes the antimicrobial agents biologically inactive. As used herein, class A beta-lactamases (Ambler classification) refer to serine beta-lactamases, in which hydrolysis of beta-lactam is mediated by serine in the active site, usually at amino acid position 70 in the alpha helix₂. Class A beta-lactamases include but are not limited to Len-1, SHV-1, TEM-1, PSE-3/PSE-3, ROB-1, Bacillus cereus such as 5/B type 1, 569/H type 1 and 569/H type 3, Bacillus anthrasis sp, Bacillus licheniformis such as PenP, Bacillus weihenstephanensis, Bacillus clausii, Staphylococcus aureus, PC1, Sme-1, NmcA, IMI-, PER-, VEB-, GES-, KPC-, CME- and CTX-M types beta-lactamases.

Sequence Identity of Peptides and Polynucleotides

The amino acid sequences of the mutant beta-lactamase of the present invention (D276X, P1A derivate) are set forth as SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 3. The corresponding nucleotide sequences are set forth as SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4. SEQ ID NO: 1 sets forth the amino acid sequence taking part in the formation of secondary structure of the beta-lactamase. SEQ ID NO: 3 sets forth the full length amino acid sequence of the protein, including the 31 amino acids long signal sequence.

A beta-lactamase of the invention may comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 30, 35, 40, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5, 99.8, 99.9 or 100% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3.

According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the peptide has at least 30, 35, 40, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5, 99.8, 99.9 or 100% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the beta-lactamase of the invention comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the beta-lactamase has at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3.

In one embodiment of the invention the beta-lactamase comprising an amino acid sequence having any above-mentioned sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1, has a hydrophilic amino acid selected from a group consisting of arginine (R), histidine (H), lysine (K), asparagine (N), glutamine (Q), serine (S) and threonine (T) at a position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the peptide has the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3. In one embodiment of the invention, the beta-lactamase has the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3, wherein a hydrophilic amino acid residue at a position corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification (marked as Xaa in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3) is an arginine (R, Arg). In another embodiment of the invention, the beta-lactamase has the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3, wherein a hydrophilic amino acid residue at a position corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification (marked as Xaa in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3) is an asparagine (N, Asn).

Identity of any sequence with the sequence of this invention refers to the identity with the entire sequence of the present invention. Sequence identity may be determined by any conventional bioinformatic method, for example by using BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tools) or FASTA (FAST-All).

The present invention also relates to any variants or fragments of the novel beta-lactamases. As used herein, a fragment or variant of the beta-lactamase refers to any part or variant, which has a biological function i.e. is enzymatically active. A variant refers to a peptide having small alterations in the peptide sequence, e.g. mutations, small deletions or insertions. The fragments and variants should include the hydrophilic amino acid at a position corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification. The hydrophilic amino acid is typically other than aspartic acid (D).

There are various short forms of the beta-lactamase, which are obtainable from SEQ ID NO: 3 and which are secreted outside the cell. These are called exoforms. The exoforms are the result of hydrolytic activity of proteases in the cell wall or culture medium.

D276X, D276N, D276R, mutant form, P1A derivate or P3A, as used herein encompasses any beta-lactamase active fragment and/or variant of the SEQ ID NO: 3 or variant comprising the explicitly given amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1). Especially, the beta-lactamase of the invention is an NH₂-truncated form, which means that it has been truncated at the aminoterminus. In addition to the NH₂-truncation, it may comprise one or more further amino acid deletions, substitutions and/or insertions, as long as it has beta-lactamase activity. Said modifications may be either naturally occurring variations or mutants, or artificial modifications introduced e.g. by gene technology.

Differently aminoterminally truncated exoforms have been found in the growth medium of B. licheniformis. Such exoforms are also encompassed herein. Matagne et al. have described various extents of microheterogeneity in extracellular forms produced by the natural host B. licheniformis 749/C (Matagne A. et al., 1991. Biochem J. 273:503-510). The following five different secreted exoforms with different N-terminal amino acid residues were identified:

SQPAEKNEKTEMKDD... . .KALNMNGK        EKTEMKDD... . .KALNMNGK         KTEMKDD... . .KALNMNGK           EMKDD... . .KALNMNGK            MKDD... . .KALNMNGK

Initial amino acid residues are presented in bold. The C-terminal amino acid residues are indicated to the right. The exoform starting from serine (S) is called the “large secreted form” of B. licheniformis beta-lactamase, and the one starting from lysine (K) is called the “small secreted form”.

The first alpha helix (α₁-helix) starts from aspartatic acid (D) (presented in italics) and the end of the last alpha helix (α₁₁-helix) ends at asparagine (N) (presented in italics). According to one embodiment of the invention the beta-lactamase comprises at least the amino acids 1-258 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or amino acids 7-264 of SEQ ID NO: 3, which take part in the secondary structure of the protein (Knox J. R. et al., 1991. J. Mol Biol. 220: 435-455). According to another embodiment of the invention one or more of said amino acids 1-258 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or amino acids 7-264 of SEQ ID NO: 3 have been deleted or replaced.

According to still another embodiment of the invention the amino terminal of the beta-lactamase begins with NH₂-KTEMKDD (amino acids 4-10 of SEQ ID NO: 3). This so-called ES-betaL exoform may further lack up to 21 contiguous residues as described by Gebhard et al. (Gebhard L. G. et al., 2006, J. Mol. Biol. 21:358(1)280-288). According to another embodiment of the invention the amino terminal begins with glutamic acid (E) of SEQ ID NO: 3, and especially it begins with NH₂-EMKDD (amino acids 6-10 of SEQ ID NO: 3), or alternatively it begins with NH₂-MKDD (amino acids 7-10 of SEQ ID NO: 3 or amino acids 1-4 of SEQ ID NO: 1).

The variable region in the amino terminal sequence of the beta-lactamase has no rigid structure which accounts for the constancy of enzymatic parameters of various beta lactamase forms.

The four last amino acids at the carboxylic end of the beta-lactamase, MNGK-COOH (amino acids 265-268 of SEQ ID NO: 3), are not part of the secondary structure, and may therefore also be deleted without loosing activity. In another embodiment up to nine C-terminal amino acids may be deleted. C-truncated forms of the protein have been described by Santos et al. (Santos J. et al., 2004. Biochemistry 43:1715-1723).

All the different forms of the beta-lactamase set forth above are encompassed by the present invention, together with other forms of the protein having beta-lactamase activity.

A polynucleotide of the invention may comprise or have a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4 or a degenerate thereof. A polynucleotide that is a degenerate of a sequence shown in any one of SEQ ID NO:s 2 or 4 refers to a polynucleotide that has one or more different nucleotides compared to SEQ ID NO:s 2 or 4 but encodes for the same amino acid. Preferably, the nucleotide triplet nnn of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4 encodes a hydrophilic amino acid, most preferably N or R. A “polynucleotide” as used herein is a sequence of nucleotides such as a DNA or RNA sequence, and may be a single or double stranded polynucleic acid. The term polynucleotide encompasses genomic DNA, cDNA and mRNA.

According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the polynucleotide has at least 30, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 65, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5, 99.8 or 99.9% identity to any one of the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4, or fragments thereof.

In one specific embodiment of the invention the polynucleotide has a sequence shown in any one of the sequences SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4.

Amino Acids at Position 276 (Ambler) of Class A Beta-Lactamases

Asparagine (Asn, N) at amino acid position 276 is present in a wide variety of class A beta-lactamases. The function of Asn276 has been intensively studied in TEM and SHV beta-lactamases, in which Asn276 forms hydrogen bonds with the guanidium group of arginine (Arg, R) 244 and thus, limits the mobility of the Arg244 side chain.

Substitutions of asparagine (Asn, N) in TEM or SHV enzymes have been recognised as one major contributor to resistance to serine beta-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid sulbactam or tazobactam. N276D (Asp) substitution variants of TEM-1 beta-lactamase are present in inhibitor resistant beta-lactamases (IRT enzymes such as TEM-35 and TEM-36). An N276D variant is more resistant to clavulanic acid and tazobactam than the wild type TEM-1 enzyme, but concomitantly the catalytic efficiencies (kcat/Km) of N276D variant for various penicillins are less than 50% of those in the TEM-1 wild type enzyme. Catalytic efficacies of the N276D variant to cephalosporins are reduced compared to those of the wild type TEM-1 (Saves I et al., 1995, J Biol Chem. 270:18240-18245).

Similarly to TEM-1, N276D substitution in SHV-1 or SHV-5 beta-lactamase enhances the resistance to serine beta-lactamase inhibitors but reduces their hydrolytic efficiencies to most beta-lactams (Giakkoupi P. et al., 1999, J Antimicrobiol Chemother, 43: 23-29). Furthermore, N276D substitution in SHV-1 or SHV-5 enzymes moderately improves their ability to degrade “fourth generation” cephalosporins cefpirome and cefepime.

In SHV type beta-lactamase OHIO-1, an N276G (Gly) mutant has shown to be highly resistant to clavulanic acid, whereas a TEM-1 derived N276G mutant possesses only moderate resistance to clavulanic acid (Bonomo R A et al., 1995, Biochim Biophys Acta. 1247:121-125).

In the family of CTX-M enzymes, arginine (Arg, R) is typically present at position 276 (Bonnet R., 2004, Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 48: 1-14) and mutations of Arg276 affect the extension of enzyme activity. Relative hydrolysis rates of CTX-M enzymes against cefotaxime are moderately reduced by substitution of Arg276. Furthermore, Arg276Trp, Arg276Cys, Arg276Ser and Arg276Gly CTX-M mutant enzymes do not affect the level of beta-lactamase inhibitor resistance (Bonnet R., 2004, Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 48: 1-14; Perez-Llarena F. J. et al., 2008. J Antimicrobiol Chemother, 61: 792-797).

TABLE 1 Amino acid residues located at 276 position (Ambler classifica-tion) among class A beta-lactamases (Matagne A et al., 1998, Biochem J 330: 581-598; Tranier S. et al., 2000, J Biol Chem, 275: 28075-28082) Typical amino acid residue at Typical beta-lactamase position 276 Len-1, SHV-1, TEM-1, PSE-3/PSE-3, ROB-1 Asn (N) Bacillus cereus 5/B type 1 Bacillus cereus 569/H type 1 Bacillus anthrasis sp Bacillus licheniformis PenP beta-lactamase Asp (D) Bacillus cereus 569/H type 3 beta-lactamase Bacillus weihenstephanensis beta-lactamase Bacillus clausii beta.lactamase Staphylococcus aureus PC1 beta-lactamase Sme-1 NmcA IMI-1 beta-lactamases CTX-M enzymes Arg (R) PER-1, VEB-1, CME-1 beta-lactamases Glu (E)

Now, in the present invention, the beta-lactamases comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 (Bacillus licheniformis PenP derivate, i.e. P1A derivate) and having a hydrophilic amino acid residue at a position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification, show an extended beta-lactam spectrum as well as improved catalytic effects on beta-lactams.

Before, the role of amino acid substitutions of aspartic acid (D) at position 276 in resistance to serine beta-lactamase inhibitors or in catalytic properties to various beta-lactams have not been studied among Bacillus spp. beta-lactamases, specifically B. licheniformis beta-lactamase.

As used herein, the amino acid residue 276 according to Ambler classification corresponds to amino acid position 243 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and amino acid position 249 of SEQ ID NO: 3.

Typically the beta-lactamases of the present invention have a hydrophilic amino acid at a position corresponding to position 276 of Ambler classification other than aspartic acid (D). Amino acids are classified based on the chemical and/or structural properties of their side chains. The amino acid classification groups include hydrophilic amino acids, which are divided into following groups: polar and positively charged hydrophilic amino acids; polar and neutral of charge hydrophilic amino acids; polar and negatively charged hydrophilic amino acids; aromatic, polar and positively charged hydrophilic amino acids. As used herein “hydrophilic amino acid” includes all above-mentioned groups of hydrophilic amino acids, i.e. refers to polar and positively charged hydrophilic amino acids, to polar and neutral of charge hydrophilic amino acids, to polar and negatively charged hydrophilic amino acids and/or to aromatic, polar and positively charged hydrophilic amino acids (http://www.biomed.curtin.edu.au/biochem/tutorials/AAs/AA.html). “A polar and positively charged hydrophilic amino acid” refers to arginine (R) or lysine (K). “A polar and neutral of charge hydrophilic amino acid” refers to asparagine (N), glutamine (Q), serine (S) or threonine (T). “A polar and negatively charged hydrophilic amino acid” refers to aspartate (D) or glutamate (E). “An aromatic, polar and positively charged hydrophilic amino acid” refers to histidine (H).

In one embodiment of the invention, the hydrophilic amino acid is a neutral or positively charged hydrophilic amino acid selected from the group consisting of arginine (R), histidine (H), lysine (K), asparagine (N), glutamine (Q), serine (S) and threonine (T) at a position of Seq ID No 1 corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hydrophilic amino acid of the beta-lactamase at a position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification is selected from polar and positively charged hydrophilic amino acids from the group consisting of arginine (R), histidine (H) and lysine (K). Most preferably, the amino acid at the position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification is arginine.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the hydrophilic amino acid is selected from polar and neutral of charge hydrophilic amino acids from the group consisting of asparagine (N), glutamine (Q), serine (S) and threonine (T). Most preferably, the amino acid at the position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 is asparagine.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the hydrophilic amino acid at the position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 locates in an alpha helix. An alpha helix is a motif of protein secondary structure, resembling a coiled conformation. Alpha helixes may have particular significance in DNA binding motifs (e.g. helix-turn-helix, leucine zipper and zinc finger motifs). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, amino acid residue 276 is located at the final alpha helix₁₁ (FIG. 1 ). This alpha helix₁₁ is not conserved among Class A beta-lactamases.

Specific Features of Class A Beta-Lactamases

One specific feature of class A beta-lactamases is a guanidinium group of Arg278. CTX-M enzymes have Arg278, Arg244 or Arg220, which lies in equivalent positions in the three dimensional structures. Arginine at position 220 or 244 is shown to be essential for the catalytic properties of TEM-1 (Leu220 and Arg244) and Streptococcus albus G beta-lactamase (Arg220 and Asn244). A basic guanidinium group of arginine 244 or arginine 220 is proposed to contribute the binding of beta-lactam or the inactivation chemistry of “suicide” inhibitors such as clavulanic acid (Matagne et al., 1998, Biochem J. 330:582-598; Perez-Llarena et al., 2008, J Antimicrobiol Chemother, 61: 792-797). In B. licheniformis PenP, Arg-244 residue forms a salt bond with aspartatic acid 276 (Herzberg, O. 1991, J Mol Biol. 217: 701-719; Knox, J. R., and P. C. Moews, 1991, J Mol Biol. 220:435-555).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the beta-lactamase further comprises at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of Leu220 and Arg244 according to Ambler classification, which correspond to Leu189 and Arg212, respectively of SEQ ID NO:1.

Bacillus licheniformis Beta-Lactamase (PenP, P1A)

The beta-lactamase of the invention originates from Bacillus licheniformis 749/C strain. B. licheniformis 749/C beta-lactamase (PenP; penicillin amido-beta-lactamhydrolase, EC3.5.2.6) belongs to a subgroup 2a in functional classification of class A beta-lactamases (Bush K. et al., 1995, Antimicrob Agents Chemother 39: 1211-1233). B. licheniformis beta-lactamase can be considered as a penicillinase, which has high hydrolytic capacity to degrade e.g. penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin or piperacillin and it is generally inhibited by active site-directed beta-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid, sulbactam or tazobactam (Bush K. et al., 1995, Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 39: 1211-1233).

Bacillus licheniformis 749/C beta-lactamase is expressed as a preprotein of 307 amino acid residues. After translocation and removal of its 26 amino acid residues long signal sequence, it becomes a membrane-anchored lipoprotein in which the aminoterminal cysteine (C27) forms a thioether bond with a diacylglyseride. B. licheniformis beta-lactamase is also found as secreted (extracellular) forms which are proteolytic products of the lipoprotein form (Izui K. et al., 1980, Biochemistry 19: 1882-1886; Matagne A. et al., 1991, Biochem J, 273: 503-510). The region of the Bacillus licheniformis 749/C beta-lactamase gene encoding the small, secreted form (small exo form; P1A) of amino acid residues 43-307 has been chosen as a DNA fragment for tailoring of host-vector Bacillus subtilis production system (WO 2008065247).

Function

Beta-lactamases hydrolyse beta-lactam antibiotics comprising a beta-lactam ring such as penicillins, cephalosporins, clavams (or oxapenams), cephamycins and carbapenems. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the beta-lactamase hydrolyses penicillins and/or cephalosporins. “Penicillins” refer to several natural or semisynthetic variants of penicillin, which is originally derived from Penicillium. Penicillins include but are not limited to amoxicillin, ampicillin, azlocillin, carbenicillin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, flucloxacillin, hetacillin, oxacillin, mezlocillin, penicillin G, penicillin V, and piperacillin.

In cephalosporins, the beta-lactam ring is fused to a six-membered dihydrothiazine ring rather than to the five-membered thiazolidine ring found in penicillins. Based on their biological activity, cephalosporins are divided into six generations but some cephalosporins have not been grouped to a particular generation. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the beta-lactamase has improved catalytic efficiency on cephalosporins compared to wild type beta-lactamases. According to present invention, Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamase, in which the aspartic acid (Asp, D) at position 276, numbered in accordance with Ambler classification, is substituted with a hydrophilic amino acid residue such as an asparagine (N) or arginine (R), exhibits an extended activity to beta-lactam antibiotics such as cephalosporins.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cephalosporins are selected from the group consisting of cefoperazone, ceftriaxone and cefazoline.

As used herein, catalytic efficiency of beta-lactamases refers to the ability to hydrolyse beta-lactam antibiotics. Improved catalytic efficiency can be measured by any conventional in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo-methods from any biological sample or a subject.

Methods of Producing and Modifying Beta-Lactamases

The beta-lactamase of the invention may be produced by modifying the enzyme with any conventional method of genetic engineering. Methods such as rational design, random mutagenesis, DNA shuffling (random recombination), phage display, whole-genome shuffling, heteroduplex, random chimeragenesis on transient templates assembly of designed oligonucleotides, mutagenic and unidirectional reassembly, exon shuffling, Y-ligation-based block shuffling, nonhomologous recombination, combination rational design with directed evolution may be utilized in the production. Furthermore, the mutant enzymes may be obtained by employing site-directed mutagenesis and splicing by overlap extension techniques.

In one embodiment of the invention, a method of modifying a beta-lactamase comprises a step of modifying the beta-lactamase comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 by replacing an amino acid at a position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification with a hydrophilic amino acid. The hydrophilic amino acid may be any hydrophilic amino acid, for example selected from the group consisting of arginine (R), histidine (H), lysine (K), asparagine (N), glutamine (Q), serine (S) and threonine (T).

In one embodiment of the invention a non-hydrophilic amino acid is replaced with a hydrophilic amino acid at a position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification.

The beta-lactamase of the invention can also be produced for example by synthetic methods e.g. peptide synthesis or by recombinant production in a host cell. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the enzyme is recombinant. As used herein, “recombinant” genetic material refers to a material, which is typically a combination of genetic material, e.g. DNA strands of various origin, and it has been produced by combining or inserting the sequences. The polynucleotide of the invention may for example be inserted under the control of any endogenous or exogenous regulators, such as promoters. Recombinant protein is derived from recombinant DNA.

At least one polynucleotide or polynucleotide fragment of interest may be isolated from a cell or produced synthetically. This polynucleotide or polynucleotide fragment can be transformed to a host cell. A suitable host cell for producing any peptide of the invention may be any eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell, preferably bacteria, most preferably Bacillus spp. strain such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilis, or Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

As used herein, “transformation” refers to a genetic alteration of a cell by foreign genetic material, preferably DNA, resulting in expression of this genetic material. The foreign genetic material can be introduced as such or as incorporated into any other genetic material such as vectors, plasmids etc. Any method of genetic engineering or any molecular cloning methods can be used for transforming a host cell with the polynucleotide of the invention. There are various methods of introducing foreign material into a eukaryotic cell. Materials such as polymers (e.g. DEAE-dextran or polyethylenimine), liposomes and nanoparticles (e.g. gold) have been used as carriers for transformation. Genetic material can also be introduced into cells by using for example viruses or vectors as carriers. Other methods for introducing foreign material into a cell include but are not limited to nucleofection, electroporation, conjucation, transfection, sonoporation, heat shock and magnetofection.

After a host cell has produced the peptide of the invention in appropriate conditions, the peptide can for example be purified from the cell or a secreted form of the peptide can be recovered e.g. from culture media. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the beta-lactamase is secreted.

Pharmaceutical Composition

The pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises the beta-lactamase of the invention. The composition may comprise only one beta-lactamase or more, such as at least two, three, four etc. different beta-lactamases.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also comprise any other active ingredients than beta-lactamases of the invention.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be used for example in solid, semisolid or liquid form such as in the form of tablets, pellets, capsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions. Preferably the composition is for oral administration or for enteral applications.

In addition to at least one beta-lactamase of the invention or polynucleotides or host cells comprising the polynucleotides of the invention, the pharmaceutical composition may comprise pharmaceutically acceptable carrier(s), adjuvant(s), excipient(s), auxiliary excipient(s), antiseptic(s), stabilizing agent(s), binding agent(s), filling agent(s), lubricating agent(s), suspending agent(s), plasticizer, colorants, film formers, sugar, alcohols, glidant agents and diluent agents and/or components normally found in corresponding products.

The product or pharmaceutical composition of the invention comprises the beta-lactamases in an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect.

The products or pharmaceutical compositions may be manufactured by any conventional processes known in the art. The beta-lactamases may be added to any pharmaceutical product or mixed with any agents during any preparation step. The beta-lactamase of the invention may also be produced for example by expressing the beta-lactamase gene in appropriate conditions in a pharmaceutical product or in the target tissue after the pharmaceutical product has degraded.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the beta-lactamase(s) and the beta-lactam antibiotic are administered together in the form of an enteric coated pellet to a subject. Aqueous-based coating forms appear to be the most favourable materials for coating processes of the hydrophilic P1A protein. The aqueous polymers commonly used to achieve enteric properties, and also usable in the present invention, are polymethacrylates such as Eudragit®, cellulose based polymers e.g. cellulose ethers e.g. Duodcell®, or cellulose esters, e.g. Aquateric®, or polyvinyl acetate copymers e.g. Opadry®.

Beta-lactamase of the invention or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be administered to a subject simultaneously or sequentially with a beta-lactam antibiotic. In one embodiment of the invention, the beta-lactamase or the pharmaceutical composition is administered before a beta-lactam antibiotic, for example 5 to 30 minutes before a beta-lactam antibiotic. The beta-lactamase and a beta-lactam antibiotic/antibiotics may be in the same formulation or in different formulations.

Adverse Effects of Beta-Lactams and Treatments

Adverse effects i.e. adverse drug reactions for the beta-lactam antibiotics may include but are not limited to diarrhea, nausea, rash, urticaria, superinfection, fever, vomiting, erythema, dermatitis, angioedema and pseudo-membranous colitis.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adverse effects to be treated or prevented occur in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). As used herein, gastrointestinal tract refers to digestive structures stretching from the mouth to the anus. The gastrointestinal tract comprises the mouth, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, small intestine, colon, cecum, rectum and anus.

The beta-lactamase of the invention or the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be administered to a subject orally or directly to the gastrointestinal tract. Drug product(s) of enzyme combinations are intended to inactivate unabsorbed beta-lactam in the GIT or in other undesired body compartments such as skin or vaginal cavity. The pharmaceutical composition may be an orally administered drug product, a dermatological formulation or a vaginal suppository, and may comprise liquid, immediate, delayed or sustained release dosage formulations.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the beta-lactamase(s) is/are administered orally. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the beta-lactamase(s) is/are administered directly to the gastro-intestine of a patient.

A treated subject may be a man or an animal such as a pet or production animal e.g. dog, cat, cow, pig, chicken or horse. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the subject is a man.

The present invention is illustrated by the following examples, which are not intended to be limiting in any way.

Example 1. Construction of D276N and D276R Mutant Enzymes

Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamase D276N and D276R mutants were constructed by splicing-by-overlap extension mutagenesis (SE) using the pRSH10 plasmid encoding P1A beta-lactamase as a template far the initial PCR reactions according to previously published procedures (Horton R. M. et al., 1989, Gene 77:61-68). Primers were designed to provide two different PCR products with a region of common sequence. Fragments were then fused in a subsequent PCR amplification by aid of overlapping regions. The desired mutations were achieved by using mutagenic primers in initial PCR.

For the D276N mutant, mutation was made at the desired position in wild type gene, converting a GAT codon to a AAT codon. The primers utilized in the first PCR amplifications are presented in Table 2. The size of amplified fragments in the first PCR was 800 nt and 220 nt which have a 21 nt long overlapping region.

TABLE 2 Oligonucleotide PCR primers. Complementary regions are shaded and mutated codons are expressed as bold. Forward-1 and reverse-1 primers were used in amplification of fused fragment in the second PCR. Size of PCR fragment (nt) Oligonucleotide primers 800 Forward-1: 5′-CGA TTG TTT GAG AAA AGA -3′ (SEQ ID NO: 4) Reverse-D276N: 5′-AAT AAG TTT ATT ATC ATA CTT GGC GTC CT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 5) Reverse-D276R: 5′-AAT AAG TTT GCG ATC ATA CTT GGC GTC CT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 6) 220 Forward-D276N: 5′-AAG TAT GAT AAT AAA CTT ATT GCA GAG G-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 7) Forward-D276R: 5′-AAG TAT GAT CGC AAA CTT ATT GCA GAG G-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 8) Reverse-1: 5-GTA TTT GTC ACA CCT GAT G-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 9)

In the second PCR reaction (SOE reaction), the two overlapping fragments were fused together in a subsequent extension reaction. The inclusion of outside primers (Forward-1 and Reverse-1) in the extension reaction amplifies the fused product by PCR. The purified SOE product was digested with HindIII restriction enzyme and ligated to HindIII cleaved pKTH141 secretion vector as described in WO 2008/065247.

Competent cells of Bacillus subtilis RS303 were transformed with a ligation mixture. Positive clones on Luria-kanamycin plates were screened by suspending bacterial mass of a single colony into nitrocefin solution. Positive clones effectively hydrolyzed nitrocefin turning the colour of nitrocefin solution from yellow to red. Hybrid plasmid was purified from cells of a single clone. The correct sequence of PCR generated region was verified by DNA sequencing.

For the D276R mutant, mutation was made at the desired position by converting a GAT codon to a CGC codon. Construction of D276R mutant strain was performed similar to that of D276N mutant except reverse-D276R- and forward-D276R-primers were used in the initial PCR (see Table 2).

Example 2. Nucleotide Sequence of D276N Mutant Beta-Lactamase Gene (penP)

The expression construct was isolated from a positive clone and the insert was subjected to DNA sequencing. The complete nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequences of D276N mutant beta-lactamase gene revealed that a substitution of Asp for Asn has occurred correctly at the desired codon (FIG. 2 ). Furthermore, the DNA sequence of D276N mutant beta-lactamase gene revealed in frame fusion between nucleotide sequence encoding a 31 amino acid long signal sequence of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alpha amylase, the HindIII cloning site and the complete sequence of D276N mutant gene. The signal peptidase is predicted to cut the peptide bond between alanine (A) at position of −1 and glutamine (Q) at position of +1. The mature D276N beta-lactamase possesses an NH₂-terminal extension of a NH₂-QAS-tripeptide derived from the Hind III cloning site in the expression construct. Hence, based on the deduced amino acid sequence the mature D276N mutant beta-lactamase is comprised of 268 amino acid residues.

Example 3. Nucleotide Sequence of D276R Mutant Beta-Lactamase Gene (penP)

To confirm the desired substitution of aspartic acid to arginine at position 276 (Ambler classification) in the Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamase gene, the expression construct was isolated from a positive clone and the nucleotide sequence of the insert was sequenced similar to example 2. According to the obtained nucleotide sequence, the deduced amino acid sequence contains the desired D276R substitution and the mature D276R mutant enzyme is comprised of 268 amino acid residues (FIG. 3 ).

Example 4. Biochemical Analysis of D276N Mutant Beta-Lactamase (P3A)

The purity of the enzyme preparate was estimated to more than 95 percentages by SDS-PAGE analysis (data not shown).

Kinetic parameters of the wild type (P1A) and D276N (P3A) mutant B. licheniformis beta-lactamases were determined for hydrolysis of various types of beta-lactams and are summarized in Table 3. Enzymatic reactions were performed in 20 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7) at 30° C. by using appropriate enzyme concentration and various concentrations of penicillin or cephalosporin substrates. The k_(cat) and K_(m) values were obtained with the aid of the Hanes linearization method. The main results are described below.

(i) Penicillins

The effect of the D276N substitution on the hydrolysis of penicillins (ampicillin amoxicillin or piperacillin) was not drastic with enzymatic efficiencies of 51-80 percentages of those of the wild type enzyme. Consequently, k_(cat)/K_(m) values of D276N mutant enzyme for penicillins were reduced as a maximum of two folds or less.

(ii) Cephalosporins

As expected, related to penicillins, the wild type beta-lactamase had poor enzymatic efficiencies for various cephalosporins including the first (cafazoline), the second (cefuroxime), and the third (ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ceftadizime, cefoperazone, and cefepime) generation cephalosporins (Table 1). Surprisingly, the enzymatic efficiencies of D276N mutant enzyme for certain cephalosporins, preferably for cefoperazone and more preferably for ceftriaxone, were essentially improved compared to those obtained with wild type enzymes. The K_(m) constants for ceftriaxone and cefoperazone were decreased and concomitantly the turnover numbers (k_(cat)) for ceftriaxone and cefoperazone were increased compared to those of the wild type enzyme (P1A). Thus the aspartic acid-asparagine substitution at position 276 of Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamase contributes the extension of beta-lactam substrate profile in Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamase.

TABLE 3 Kinetic parameters for hydrolysis of beta-lactam substrates by wild type (P1A) and D276N mutant enzymes of Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamases. Wild type beta- lactamase (P1A) D276N mutant K_(m) k_(cat) k_(cat)/K_(m) K_(m) k_(cat) k_(cat)/K_(m) Relative catalytic Beta-lactam (μM) (s⁻¹) (μM⁻¹ s⁻¹) (μM) (s⁻¹) (μM⁻¹ s⁻¹) efficacies (%)⁽¹ Ampicillin 157 3369 21.45 161 2160 13.42 63 Piperacillin 49 939 19.16 53 816 15.40 80 Amoxicillin 119 2956 24.84 219 2789 12.74 51 Ceftriaxone 400 0.045 0.00013 38 83 2.18 1676923 Cefotaxime 363 246 0.67 213 36 0.17 25 Ceftadizime 0 0 0 1505 2.74 0.0018 Cefepime 0 0 0 1357 133 0.1 Cefazoline 22 93 4.22 37 192 5.19 123 Cefoperazone 7 10 1.43 2 17 8.2 573 Cefuroxime 107 233 2.18 277 35 0.13 6 ⁽¹Relative catalytic efficiency (k_(cat)/K_(m)) of D276N compared to that of the wild type enzyme (P1A).

Example 5. Biochemical Characterization of D276R Mutant Enzyme

D276R mutant enzyme was constructed to evaluate whether Asp-276 tolerates substitutions and assesses the contribution of D276R substitution to the extension of beta-lactamase activity observed in D276N enzyme.

Crude enzyme samples of D276R and D276N obtained from culture supernatants were employed as test materials. The purity and quantity of enzyme samples were estimated by performing SDS-PAGE-analysis. Hydrolysis rate of D276R and D276N mutant enzymes for various beta-lactams were performed by determining V_(max) values. Obtained results are presented as relative activities (%) compared to those of D276N enzyme in Table 4.

In general, catalytic efficiencies of D276R beta-lactamase for both penicillins and cephalosporins are comparable to those of D276N enzyme. In comparison with D276N enzyme, D276R enzyme has reduced activity to ceftriaxone and improved activity to cefoperazone. This study showed that the extended spectrum of beta-lactams can be achieved by substituting a hydrophilic amino acid residue such as arginine or asparagine for aspartic acid at position 276 in the Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamase. It also indicates that a desired enzyme modification can be achieved by substituting another hydrophilic amino acid residue such as glutamine (Q), lysine (K), serine (S) or threonine (T) for aspartic acid at position 276.

TABLE 4 Relative activities (%) of D276R mutant enzyme compared to those of D276N mutant enzyme Beta-lactam Relative activities Ampicillin 82 Piperacillin 84 Amoxicillin 71 Ceftriaxone 50 Cefotaxime 105 Ceftadizime — Cefepime 74 Cefazoline 84 Cefoperazone 232 Cefuroxime 99

Example 6. In Vivo Study of D276N Beta-Lactamase

The capability of Bacillus licheniformis D276N mutant beta-lactamase enzyme to inactivate ceftriaxone (CRO) which has been excreted into the gastrointestinal tract during parenteral therapy was investigated in a dog model. Laboratory beagles of the study have a nipple valve surgically inserted in jejunum approximately 170 cm distal to pylorus enabling collection of samples for the analysis. The intestinal surgery did not alter the intestinal motility. Five beagle dogs were utilized in each experiment.

The study was performed as two sequential treatments: In the first treatment (control experiment without beta-lactamase therapy), a single dose of ceftriaxone (30 mg of ceftriaxone (CRO) per kg of body weight which corresponds to about 1 gram dose of CRO in humans) was administered intravenously 20 minutes after the first feeding of the dogs. Jejunal samples were collected at various time points during ten hours. The dogs were fed again five hours and forty minutes after the ceftriaxone administration in order to induce the biliary excretion of ceftriaxone accumulated in gallbladder.

Jejunal chyme samples were immediately freezed and stored at −20° C. to await the analysis. Chyme samples were pretreated with perchloric-citric acid in order to precipitate interfering substances. The precipitates were removed by centrifugation. A reverse-phase high-pressure chromatography method with UV detection was used for the quantification of ceftriaxone in supernatants.

In the second treatment, D276N mutant beta-lactamase was given as enteric coated pellets filled in hard gelatine capsules 10 minutes prior to ceftriaxone injection. Enteric coating dosage forms are common among oral products in pharmaceutical industry. Enteric coating drug products are designed to bypass stomach as an intact form and to release the contents of the dosage form in small intestine. The reasons for applying enteric solid formulations are to protect the drug substance from the destructive action of the enzymes or low pH environment of stomach or to prevent drug substance-induced irritation of gastric mucosa, nausea or bleeding or to deliver drug substance in undiluted form at a target site in small intestine. Based on these criteria, enteric coated drug products can be regarded as a type of delayed action dosage forms. Polymethacrylic acid copolymer Eudragit® L 30 D-55 was employed in order to achieve a pH dependent enteric-coated dosage form. A single dose of enteric coated pellets containing about 0.44 mg of active D276N beta-lactamase per kg of body weight was used in the second treatment.

Obtained results from both treatments are presented in FIG. 4 . Treatment 1 showed that high concentrations of ceftriaxone were excreted into the small intestinal tract during the parenteral ceftriaxone therapy. The highest jejunal concentration (about 1500 micrograms per gram of jejunal chyme) was found 60 minutes after the ceftriaxone injection. The increased jejunal ceftriaxone levels were observed after the second feeding of the dogs (at time point 340 minutes) which indicates food stimulated, ceftriaxone containing bile excretion accumulation in gallbladder.

Treatment 2 showed that orally administered D276N mutant beta-lactamase is capable to reduce jejunal ceftriaxone levels near to the limit of quantification (10 micrograms of ceftriaxone per microgram of jejunal chyme). This finding shows that D276N mutant beta-lactamase is a potent drug substance candidate for reducing the side effects related to a use of parenteral ceftriaxone. Moreover, based on high activities to penicillins such as ampicillin, amoxicillin and piperacillin, D276N or D276R mutant enzymes can be used as an alternative drug substance in beta-lactamase therapy described in WO 2008065247. 

1. A beta-lactamase comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 and having a hydrophilic amino acid residue at a position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification, or a variant or fragment thereof.
 2. A method of modifying a beta-lactamase comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1, characterized in that an amino acid of the beta-lactamase at a position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification is replaced with a hydrophilic amino acid.
 3. The beta-lactamase according to claim 1 or the method according to claim 2, wherein the beta-lactamase comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 68% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1, or a variant or fragment thereof having beta-lactamase activity and including a hydrophilic amino acid residue other than aspartic acid (D) at a position corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification.
 4. The beta-lactamase according to claim 1 or the method according to claim 2, wherein the beta-lactamase comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1, and wherein the hydrophilic amino acid residue at a position corresponding to position 276 according to Ambler classification is other than aspartic acid (D).
 5. The beta-lactamase according to claim 1 or the method according to claim 2, characterized in that the hydrophilic amino acid is selected from polar and positively charged hydrophilic amino acids from the group consisting of arginine (R), histidine (H) and lysine (K).
 6. The beta-lactamase according to claim 1 or the method according to claim 2, characterized in that the hydrophilic amino acid is selected from polar and neutral of charge hydrophilic amino acids from the group consisting of asparagine (N), glutamine (Q), serine (S) and threonine (T).
 7. The beta-lactamase according to claim 6, characterized in that the amino acid at the position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 is asparagine.
 8. The beta-lactamase according to claim 5, characterized in that the amino acid at the position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 is arginine.
 9. The beta-lactamase or the method according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the hydrophilic amino acid at the position of SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponding to position 276 locates in an alpha helix.
 10. The beta-lactamase or the method according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the beta-lactamase further comprises at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of Leu220 and Arg244 according to Ambler classification.
 11. The beta-lactamase or the method according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the beta-lactamase hydrolyses penicillins and/or cephalosporins.
 12. The beta-lactamase or the method according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the beta-lactamase has improved catalytic efficiency on cephalosporins compared to wild type beta-lactamases.
 13. The beta-lactamase or the method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the cephalosporins are selected from the group consisting of cefoperazone, ceftriaxone and cefazoline.
 14. A method of producing the beta-lactamase according to any one of claim 1 or 3-13, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: v) providing a gene encoding the beta-lactamase according to any one of claim 1 or 3-13; vi) transforming a host cell with the gene; vii) obtaining a host cell that produces the beta-lactamase; viii) recovering the beta-lactamase.
 15. A method of treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotic induced adverse effects in the gastro-intestinal tract, characterized by administering beta-lactamase according to any one of claim 1 or 3-13 simultaneously or sequentially with a beta-lactam antibiotic to a subject.
 16. A polynucleotide, characterized in that it comprises a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:s 2 or 4 or a degenerate thereof, or it encodes the beta-lactamase according to any one of claim 1 or 3-13.
 17. A host cell comprising the polynucleotide according to claim
 16. 18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the beta-lactamase according to any one of claim 1 or 3-13.
 19. The beta-lactamase according to any one of claim 1 or 3-13 for use as a medicament.
 20. Use of the beta-lactamase according to any one of claim 1 or 3-13 in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotics induced adverse effects in the gastro-intestinal tract.
 21. The method according to claim 15 or the use according to claim 20, characterized in that the beta-lactamase(s) is administered orally.
 22. The method according to claim 15 or the use according to claim 20, characterized in that the beta-lactamase(s) is administered directly to the gastro-intestine of a patient.
 23. The method according to any one of claim 15 or 21-22 or the use according to any one of claims 20-22, characterized in that the beta-lactamase(s) and the beta-lactam antibiotic are administered together in the form of an enteric coated pellet to a subject. 